RONGOĀ MĀORI
This article provides a short, introduction in our own words, of rongoā Māori as we have been taught by our kaumātua (elders). It is intended for general knowledge and cultural awareness only. This mātauranga (knowledge) has been passed to our whānau (family) by our kaumātua.
Kō wai ahau? Who am I
Ko Tangihua te maunga, Wairoa te awa, Te Parawhau te hapū, Tangiterōria te marae, kei te taha Māori he uri tēnei nō ngā whānau Tito, Tuhiwai, me Weretāpou. Ko Gordon Little-Tito tōku ingoa. Tēnā koutou katoa.
I connect to the ancestral mountain Tangihua, river Wairoa, Sub-tribe Te Parawhau and Tangiterōria Marae. On my Māori side I descend from the Tito, Tuhiwai and Weretāpou families. My name is Gordon Little-Tito. I greet you all.
A rich heritage
Rongoā Māori practices are rooted in ancestral knowledge and communal experiences. These practices emphasise harmony with nature and the body's natural rhythms. Understanding these traditions can foster a deeper connection to our wellbeing and support holistic healing approaches.
Generational wisdom
Centuries of cultural knowledge passes to us. Some grasp it, and some don't. Some who don't connect at a young age may connect and commence their journey of learning in adulthood. The teachings emphasise a profound connection to nature and holistic health. By embracing these time honoured methods, we can enhance our wellbeing and nurture our spirits.
Grounded in tradition
We acknowledge Rongoā Māori is uniquely Māori. Although similar to other indigenous wellbeing systems, it has evolved here in Aotearoa with direct connection to this country's environment (flora & fauna). Our whānau have created the tikanga (customs/practices) and generation by generation the health system has grown and adapted.
For the wellbeing of all
We want to acknowledge Whaea Donna Kerridge for this quote which we believe captures a true extract of purpose. "When we agreed to accept these gifts we understood it was not for us to hold onto for our own self importance. It is not exclusively for Māori, it is for anyone needing it".
Te whare tapa whā
In Rongoā Māori, the Te Whare Tapa Whā model explains wellbeing as a wharenui supported by four interconnected walls: taha tinana (physical health), taha hinengaro (mental and emotional wellbeing), taha wairua (spiritual health), and taha whānau (family and social connection). Developed by Sir Mason Durie, this concept recognises that true healing occurs only when all four dimensions are in balance; if one wall is weakened, the whole structure is affected. Within rongoā Māori, this means healing is not just about treating physical symptoms with plants or remedies, but also nurturing the mind, honouring spiritual connections, and strengthening whānau relationships to restore overall mauri (life force)..
Taha tinana
Taha tinana focuses on the physical body and its ability to function, move, heal, and maintain strength and balance. In rongoā Māori, taha tinana is supported through practices such as the use of native plants, mirimiri, romiromi, proper nourishment, rest, and physical activity, recognising that the body carries the effects of daily work, injury, illness, and age. Care of the tinana is not viewed in isolation, but as closely connected to the mind, spirit, and whānau; when the body is supported naturally and respectfully, it helps restore overall wellbeing and mauri.
Taha hinengaro
Taha hinengaro relates to the mind, thoughts, emotions, and feelings, recognising the powerful influence mental and emotional wellbeing has on overall health. In rongoā Māori, taha hinengaro is supported through kōrero, reflection, karakia, safe expression of emotions, and the calming presence of healing practices such as mirimiri, which help release emotional tension held within the body. When the hinengaro is nurtured, clarity, resilience, and emotional balance are strengthened, allowing mauri to flow more freely and supporting the healing of the whole person.
Taha wairua
Taha wairua represents spiritual wellbeing and a person’s connection to their inner self, ancestors, whenua, and the wider natural world. In rongoā Māori, taha wairua is honoured through karakia, respect for Atua, mindful engagement with te taiao (natural environment), and acknowledgement of whakapapa, recognising that spiritual imbalance can manifest as physical or emotional distress. When wairua is nurtured and protected, it strengthens mauri, provides a sense of purpose and belonging, and supports deep, lasting healing beyond the physical body.
Taha whānau
Taha whānau reflects the importance of family, relationships, and social connection in supporting wellbeing. In rongoā Māori, healing is understood to occur within the collective, where whānau provide aroha, support, identity, and a sense of belonging that strengthens an individual’s ability to heal. By nurturing strong, respectful relationships and maintaining connection to whānau, hapū, and community, taha whānau helps uphold emotional security and resilience, reinforcing mauri and balance across all aspects of wellbeing.
Holistic wellbeing
Together, the four taha of Te Whare Tapa Whā—taha tinana, taha hinengaro, taha wairua, and taha whānau—form a holistic framework that recognises wellbeing as a state of balance between the physical body, the mind and emotions, the spirit, and relationships with others. Within rongoā Māori, these dimensions are inseparable; healing is most effective when all four are acknowledged and supported, as strengthening one taha helps stabilise the others. When each wall of the wharenui stands strong, mauri is upheld, enabling enduring wellbeing grounded in connection, respect, and harmony with people and the natural world.
Mauri
Mauri is the life force present in all living things and sits at the heart of wellbeing in rongoā Māori. When mauri is strong, a person experiences balance, vitality, and resilience across taha tinana, hinengaro, wairua, and whānau; when it is diminished, imbalance can be felt in one or more of these areas. Rongoā Māori practices focus on restoring and protecting mauri through respectful care, connection, and natural healing, recognising that true wellbeing begins with the renewal of life energy itself.
Te taiao
Te taiao acknowledges the deep and enduring relationship between people and the natural world. In rongoā Māori, wellbeing is strengthened through respectful interaction with whenua (land), wai (water), ngahere (bush), and native plants, recognising that humans are part of nature, not separate from it. Healing practices draw on the rhythms and resources of te taiao, reinforcing balance, sustainability, and kaitiakitanga as essential elements of long-term health.
Tikanga
Tikanga provides the cultural framework that guides how rongoā Māori is practiced, ensuring healing is carried out with respect, intention, and integrity. It shapes the correct processes around preparation, application, karakia, and engagement with people and plants, protecting both the practitioner and the recipient. By upholding tikanga, rongoā Māori maintains its cultural authority, safety, and effectiveness, ensuring knowledge passed down through generations is honoured and applied appropriately.
Tikanga
Karakia are an integral part of rongoā Māori, used to acknowledge Atua, tūpuna, and the spiritual dimensions of healing. Through karakia, intention is set, wairua is protected, and balance is restored, helping to clear pathways for mauri to flow. Whether offered before gathering plants, during healing practices, or as part of ongoing care, karakia affirm respect, connection, and mindfulness, ensuring healing is approached with humility, purpose, and cultural integrity.
Whakapapa
Whakapapa provides the foundation of identity, connection, and continuity within rongoā Māori. It links individuals to their tūpuna, whenua, and whānau, reinforcing a sense of belonging and purpose that supports spiritual and emotional wellbeing. Healing is understood as intergenerational, recognising that wellbeing is carried forward through whakapapa, and that restoring balance in one person contributes to the strength of future generations.
Atua
Atua represent the spiritual guardianship over different realms of the natural and human world. In rongoā Māori, acknowledging Atua such as Tāne Mahuta and Rongo recognises the sacred origins of healing knowledge and the interconnectedness of people, plants, and the environment. Respect for Atua strengthens taha wairua and ensures healing practices are carried out with humility, awareness, and spiritual balance.
Tapu and noa
Tapu and noa describe the dynamic balance between sacredness and everyday states that guide safe and respectful practice in rongoā Māori. These principles help maintain spiritual and physical safety during healing, plant gathering, and care, ensuring appropriate boundaries are observed and balance is restored when needed. Understanding tapu and noa protects both practitioner and recipient, supporting harmony and wellbeing throughout the healing process.
Kaitiakitanga
Kaitiakitanga reflects the responsibility to protect, nurture, and sustain the natural resources that support rongoā Māori. This includes respectful harvesting, seasonal awareness, and care for whenua, wai, and ngahere, ensuring native plants remain abundant for future generations. By upholding kaitiakitanga, rongoā Māori aligns healing with environmental stewardship, reinforcing balance between people and te taiao.
Prevention and maintenance
Rongoā Māori places strong emphasis on prevention and maintenance, recognising that wellbeing is best supported before imbalance occurs. Through daily practices, connection to nature, healthy routines, and awareness of physical, emotional, and spiritual signals, individuals are supported to maintain balance across all four taha. This proactive approach strengthens resilience, protects mauri, and supports long-term wellbeing for individuals and whānau.
Final words
While our products are informed by mātauranga Māori and the traditional knowledge of native plants, they are not presented as rongoā Māori in the customary or practitioner-led sense. Instead, they sit within the wider realm of rongoā rākau—the use of plants traditionally valued for wellbeing. Our formulations are created for everyday use, with care, respect, and responsibility, and are intended to support general comfort and balance rather than replace the guidance of a qualified kairongoā or healthcare professional.
Have a great day from us here at Natures Therapeutics, nō reira tēnā rā tātou katoa.
